Commissioner of Police SD Sharanappa along with senior police officers presenting the helmet to police personnel at the concluding event of National Road Safety Month at SVP Circle in Kalaburagi on January 30. Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Commissioner of Police SD Sharanappa emphasized that road safety cannot be ensured through enforcement alone and urged citizens to actively cooperate with the police in promoting responsible road behavior and preventing accidents.
Addressing a public meeting organized by Kalaburagi Police in collaboration with United Hospital, at SVP Chowk, Kalaburagi on January 30 to mark the end of National Road Safety Month, Mr. Sharanappa said collective responsibility is necessary to save lives on the roads.
“The police alone cannot guarantee road safety. People must consciously adopt safe driving practices and strictly follow road traffic rules. Only with the joint efforts of the police and the public can we reduce the number of traffic accidents and save precious lives. Every citizen can be a change maker,” he said.
As Road Safety Month is marked in January every year with limited impact, the commissioner said awareness without behavioral change has not yielded the desired results. “Every year new drivers and riders join the road while many existing road users continue to ignore the rules. Our indifference can cost lives. Almost every road accident can be prevented if road rules and safety standards are followed,” he said.
He emphasized that using public roads is not only a right, but also a responsibility. “By behaving responsibly on the roads, we protect not only our lives, but also the lives of others,” he added.
Mr. Sharanappa reiterated that 2026 will be seen as a “year of action” rather than just another year of awareness. “Traffic rules and safety measures will be strictly enforced. This year will mark a decisive shift from preaching to action,” he said.
Dr. Abdul Hakeem, director of the United College of Physiotherapy, said the main cause of many accidents was not lack of knowledge, but ignorance of it. “People know what is right and what is wrong on the road and yet they choose not to follow their conscience,” he noted.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen H. Nayak, Deputy Commissioners of Police Sharanabasappa Subedar and Sudha Adi and senior officers from Traffic Division I and II were present.
As part of the program, helmets and first aid kits sponsored by United Hospital were distributed to police officers and members of the public.
Published – 31 Jan 2026 18:47 IST
